That night, Belladonna entered her room and looked down at the divorce papers sent by Escalion.
What expression did Wolf have when he handed this over?
He probably felt sorry for me.
Except for him, the other servants still didn’t know about the divorce of the master and mistress.
They just thought Belladonna was visiting Astanya briefly for the Emperor’s birthday celebration.
If they find out later that we’re divorced, people will be very surprised.
Thinking of Cindy’s face, who knows nothing, Belladonna’s heart sank darkly.
She put down the divorce papers she was holding on the bedside table.
“…….”
Astanya.
Just thinking about having to return to that suffocating hell made her feel sick already.
Belladonna sat down wearily in the chair placed in front of the window.
The winter landscape of Gribblata could be seen outside through the uncurtained window.
Though it wasn’t very visible at night, the white snow must be piled up beautifully.
Will I ever come back here?
She slowly turned her eyes to take in every detail of the castle.
If you go straight down this path, you’ll reach the training grounds, and in the opposite direction, you’ll find the stables.
This way leads to the supply warehouse, and further on is the bedroom.
In her memories of that place, Escalion was always there with her.
“…….”
Without realizing it, tears streamed down her cheeks.
She wanted to cry out loud, but still no sound came out of her throat.
It’s so frustrating…….
Belladonna lowered her head that had been facing the window.
Tears that had been welling up fell in drops onto the back of her hand resting on her knee.
Why was I reborn as the body of the Saint?
As time passed, the hope of starting a new life seemed within reach, and just when I thought I could finally be happy…….
She couldn’t understand where the happiness she thought she had firmly grasped had gone.
When she opened her palm that had been tightly closed, nothing remained.
‘If it was going to be like this…….’
If it was going to be like this, why did you make me be reborn?
Beyond feeling wronged, feelings of resentment began to emerge.
Though she didn’t know who, if there really was a god, why didn’t you just let me die peacefully?
Why did you make me be born as the Saint…….
Belladonna, who had been hanging her head and shedding tears, lifted her face.
She clasped her tear-wet hands together and gazed at the round moon visible outside the window.
‘Oh God…….’
Belladonna sniffled and roughly wiped away the tears wetting her face.
She prayed to God with all her heart.
‘If you’re really there, please give me back my voice.’
Belladonna closed her eyes tightly and tried to recall the paintings she had once seen at the papal palace.
The numerous frescoes and various depictions of God painted there.
The intricate sculptures that filled the lobby, corridors, and outer gardens of the papal palace.
‘Even if just once, please let me tell Escalion my true feelings.’
Her tightly clasped hands trembled. Belladonna rested her forehead on her joined hands as she exhaled a constrained breath.
‘Please, let me continue to stay by his side.’
The prayers continued even after that.
Belladonna sat in the chair by the window, gazing outside for a long time.
The more she prayed, the clearer what she truly wanted seemed to become.
What she truly desired was her husband, Escalion.
[This is the timeline separator]I can’t sleep…….
Lying straight under the covers, Belladonna stared up at the ceiling with puffy eyes.
Thinking that today was the last day for this soft bed, warm blanket, and high, ornate ceiling made her feel endlessly depressed.
‘Even in Astanya, everything in my room was of the highest quality, but…….’
The reason she liked this room in Gribblata better was probably because Escalion was here with her.
Recalling how he would laugh in a low voice and press his hot body against hers, her eyes welled up with tears once again.
Blankly staring at the ceiling and blinking, Belladonna sighed and sat up.
Since she couldn’t sleep anyway, she thought she’d open a book.
Rising from her seat, Belladonna picked up a random book from the bookshelf on one wall and returned to the bed.
She tried to read the text that wasn’t really registering, bowing her head.
“…….”
There’s no way I can concentrate!
Frowning, Belladonna closed the book cover she was holding and tossed it away.
With her troubled mind, there was no way she could properly read the contents.
After a moment’s hesitation, she got up completely from the bed and left the room.
‘Should I go down to the dining room and ask for some warm milk? In such a large castle, there must be servants on night duty every day? If there’s no milk, maybe some alcohol…….’
To ride the carriage to Astanya tomorrow, she needed to get enough sleep.
Belladonna, who had been continuing various thoughts and worries, slowly stopped walking and looked to the end of the corridor.
“…….”
Escalion’s words about not providing a portal to Astanya were a lie.
She had heard the servants talking about it earlier.
He had arranged for a much more capable magician than when he went to Sirenia with Belladonna to install a sturdy portal all the way to Astanya.
She couldn’t understand Escalion’s heart.
Does he really think it’s the end and is showing one last consideration?
After brief deliberation, Belladonna impulsively moved her feet.
‘I wasn’t going to bother him today, but.’
Though she knew Escalion extremely disliked being with her, Belladonna had no time left.
Thinking that today would be the last day he’d be annoyed, she felt a little less guilty.
Even if he cursed her for being selfish, she couldn’t help it.
Belladonna missed Escalion terribly.
Taking a deep breath as she stood in front of Escalion’s room, pretending to be brave, Belladonna inhaled deeply.
It’s late at night, so he must be sleeping? But I’m still his wife, so entering my husband’s room isn’t such a terrible crime, right……?
As she was debating whether to knock or quietly open the door, the tightly closed door suddenly opened by itself.
“……!”
Oh my!
Startled by the door that opened on its own, Belladonna looked up with wide eyes.
Escalion in comfortable attire was looking down at her with one eyebrow raised.
“At this hour, the only person wandering around so carelessly would be you.”
“…….”
Looking up at him, who seemed somewhat sensitive as if just woken up, Belladonna pouted her lips.
Normally, Escalion should be showing such an appearance by her side, but seeing him come out of a different room made her feel sad and disappointed, yet also very happy and longing, a complex mix of emotions.
“If you’re going to cry, go back to your room. I don’t like crying people.”
Shake shake!
Belladonna shook her head desperately.
Watching Belladonna like that, Escalion sighed deeply and stepped back from the door.
“If you feel like talking, come in.”
I can’t speak, but…….
Swallowing the emotions welling up hotly, Belladonna stepped inside.
As if he had been sleeping, the area near the table was messy. Had he been working after returning to his room……?
Escalion, who had already passed by Belladonna who had stopped walking at some point, sat down heavily on his bed.
He opened his mouth, looking up at Belladonna.
“Why did you come? If you’re just going to keep your mouth shut again, leave. I was just about to go to bed.”
“…….”
“What, did you come to ask me to create an environment where you can make a sound again? Is that why you came? Wearing pajamas that are practically see-through?”
Startled by Escalion’s sharp tone, Belladonna looked down at herself in surprise.
He frowned, brushing back the hair that had fallen over his forehead.
“You should go back and sleep too. You know very well how long the journey to Astanya is. You had quite a hard time just going to Sirenia last time.”
“…….”
“Being like this in the middle of the night is a waste of time for both you and me.”
A waste of time…….
It was sad that the time spent with her had become a waste of time for Escalion.
Belladonna stood still, fidgeting with her hands, unable to approach him any further.
She had come looking for him on impulse because she missed him, but standing in front of him unable to say a word made her feel so pathetic and foolish.
She should say that she doesn’t want to part like this.
The words that filled her chest continued to swell, unable to pass through her throat.
“I told you to go back if you’re going to cry.”
Ah……!
Belladonna raised both hands to wipe away the tears that had begun to wet her face at some point.
Why am I crying?
She was afraid he would really send her away if she kept crying. She needed to stop quickly…….
“It’s not very pleasant that the last face I see is a crying one.”
Escalion sighed and took his eyes off her.
He turned his gaze to the wall where nothing was hanging.
No, it’s not the last.
Belladonna shook her head and pounded her chest.
The words that swirled inside without coming out were so frustrating.
Soon, Escalion, who had been sitting quietly, let out a short sigh and stood up.
“Go. I’ll take you back.”
Belladonna stepped back from Escalion approaching her and shook her head vigorously.
I can’t go like this.
Voice, come out, please come out……! Belladonna raised both hands to grasp her throat.
If I can just get past here, just get past here……!
Escalion, who had been standing still watching her actions, reached out with a bewildered face.
“Are you having trouble breathing? Why are you grabbing your throat…….”
“…….”
“Bella, look at me.”
Belladonna avoided Escalion’s hand as he approached her closer and strained her throat.
“Ugh……. Uh, ah, no…….”
At the faint voice that squeezed out of her throat, Escalion stopped his outstretched hand in mid-air.
It came out! If I try a little more……!
Belladonna strained her neck again and lifted her head.
“Don’t, urgh……. Don’t, don’t want to go…….”
Instead of her usual soft voice, a terribly hoarse voice burst out of her mouth.
Confirming the unusual voice, Escalion frowned.
“Did you injure your throat? Why is your voice…….”
“I, I can, can explain……. So please, lis, listen to me……!”
__________
Male Lead, The Black-Hearted Lotus (Female-dominant)
Short intro by Yuushi L:
At first, the male lead despised the female lead. Later, he misunderstood that she liked him, so he condescendingly and reluctantly reciprocated her feelings.
Then, he suddenly discovered that she was kind to everyone in the same way, and there was already someone she cherished in her heart, and that person was not him.
The male lead couldn’t believe it, he became angry and crazy. He was determined to capture her body and heart by any means necessary.
Synopsis:
Want to see how a green tea bitch male lead falls in love with the female lead?
Want to see how he flirtatiously pursues the female lead?
Want to see how he gets slapped in the face repeatedly?
The male lead is a green tea bitch, a poisonous lotus, jealous, ruthless, unscrupulous, with a venomous heart, and he’s also a delusional maniac.
The female lead is righteous, positive energy-filled, kind, a holy mother.
Let’s see how two people with extreme personalities come together~
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